Members of Halestorm, from left, Joe Hottinger, Lzzy Hale, Arejay Hale, Josh Smith pose backstage for the best rock album award for "Love Bites (So Do I)" at the 55th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

Just days ago, Halestorm band members could hardly believe they were headed to the Grammy awards, let alone as nominated artists.

By Wednesday, bassist Josh Smith said he and the band were now trying to believe they are Grammy award winners.

"I'm speechless. I can't wipe the smile off my face," he said.

The Red Lion-based hard rock band pulled off a surprise at Sunday's ceremony - such a surprise that they barely had a speech ready, Smith said - as they defeated big-names and legendary acts including Iron Maiden, Marilyn Manson, Anthrax Lamb of God and Megadeth.

"We weren't prepared for it at all," Smith said. "Our song wouldn't have been written if it weren't for some of these guys. They are incredible.

Back in their Red Lion days as teens, well before their Grammy win, Lzzy and Arejay Hale released their first Halestorm album. (Submitted)

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The band, which also includes Red Lion natives Arejay and Lzzy Hale and guitarist Joe Hottinger, were first-time nominees after getting picked for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance with "Love Bites (And So Do I)."

"We thought we already won, (since) we got nominated," Smith said. Saying he's a Grammy-winning artist, "it's never something I thought I'd be able to say."

Not that he and the band are resting on their prestigious laurels. They've been working on a new album, he said. In fact,not that long ago they were learning guitar riffs from Lamb of God "just to become better musicians."

Winning a Grammy? That just makes them want it more, he said.

"It's empowering. I'm hungry, I want to get back to work," Smith said.